osopher Jack, for it was he.

"In what capacity?" demanded the captain somewhat sarcastically.

"As an ordinary seaman--or a boy if you will," replied Edwin, with a
smile.

"No," growled Samson, decisively, "I won't engage you; men with kid
gloves and white hands don't suit me."

From the mere force of habit the young student had pulled on his gloves
on leaving his lodging, and had only removed that of the right hand on
entering the captain's dwelling. He now inserted a finger at the wrist
of the left-hand glove, ripped it off, and flung it with its fellow
under the grate. Thereafter he gathered some ashes and soot from the
fireplace, with which he put his hands on a footing with those of a
coal-heaver.

"Will you take me now, captain?" he said, returning to the hammock, and
spreading out his hands.

The captain gave vent to a short laugh, which brought on a tremendous
fit, at the conclusion of which he gasped, "Yes, my lad, p'r'aps I will;
but first I must know something about you."

"Certainly," said the philosopher, and at once gave the captain a brief
outline of his circumstances.

"Well, you know your own affairs best" said Captain Samson when he had
finished; "I'm no judge of such a case, but as you're willin' to ship,
I'm willin' to ship you. Come here before ten to-morrow. Good night.
There, it's a-comin'--hash--k--!"

In the midst of another furious paroxysm Edwin Jack retired.

Not long after, the captain raised himself on one elbow, listened
intently for a few seconds, and, having satisfied himself that Polly was
asleep, slipped from his hammock--as only seamen know how--and proceeded
to dress with the utmost caution. He was evidently afraid of the little
sleeper among the rubbish. It was quite interesting to observe the
quiet speed with which he thrust his great limbs into his ample
garments, gazing anxiously all the time at Polly's corner.

Issuing from his own door with the step of an elephantine mouse, the
captain went rapidly through several streets to the house of an intimate
friend, whom he found at supper with his wife and family.

"Evenin', Bailie Trench; how are 'ee, Mrs T? how's everybody?" said the
captain, in a hearty rasping voice, as he shook hands right and left,
while one of his huge legs was taken possession of, and embraced, by the
bailie's only daughter, a pretty little girl of six.

"Why, Samson," exclaimed the bailie, after quiet had been restored, and
his friend ha